love money or hate dogs more?

Casadena

Dear Prudence,

My 98-year-old great aunt, “Gemma,” is in failing health and doesn’t have much time left. She never had children, but she is quite wealthy thanks to a hefty stock portfolio. She has a 6-year-old dachshund, “Alfie,” whom she wants provided for after she passes. Aunt Gemma has offered to make me her sole beneficiary on the condition that my husband, “Clay,” and I take Alfie upon her death and care for him for the rest of his life. Clay is all for it. I am decidedly against it. I don’t care for dogs to begin with, and this dog is yappy, high-strung, bad-tempered toward anyone other than Aunt Gemma, and destructive. He isn’t even completely housebroken. In addition, this breed of dog can live up to 15 years or longer, and we have a 9-month-old.

My husband thinks we can work something out where we will be able to keep them separated. Our child is only going to become more mobile as he gets older and I am not comfortable gambling with his safety. Clay says I’m “throwing away” a chance at financial security for our family, and it’s driving a real wedge between us. My instincts are telling me that having this dog around would not be worth it, but given the uncertain times we live in, I’m starting to wonder if my husband has a point and whether we really could find a way to accommodate Alfie. What should I do here?

short+sassy

Wow!  That's a lot of Alfie hate.

I'm with the LW's husband.  Find a way to suck it up for a few years.  A hefty stock portfolio can go a long way towards their child's college degree or any other financial goals they have.

A dog trainer could possibly make a big difference in correcting Alfie's behavior.  There are a lot of ways they can keep him separated from the baby.

Casadena

Honestly, if it was this substantial amount of money I'd suck it up and deal with the dog. 

MyNameIsNot

I'd suck it up and hire a dog trainer. The dog most likely has behavioral issues because he's been raised by an elderly woman that likely does not have the energy and stamina to properly train and exercise him. 

But if you really hate dogs that much, you need to be honest with granny. 

ei34

I'd take Alfie.  It sounds like he's a PITA, not an aggressive threat to anyone's safety.  

charlotte989875

Sell some stock to pay for a dog trainer. 

levioosa

I can’t imagine turning down long term financial security for a few years of discomfort. Alfie is already basically half way through his life span. And animals can be trained. I desperately want to know LW’s definition of “quite wealthy” because I’m nosy. Sounds like at the least it would be enough to easily cover extensive training. And I guarantee most dogs will fall in line with strict training and direction. I’m gonna guess 98 year old Gemma isn’t doing much at all in the ways of boundaries which is fine, but that doesn’t mean Alfie will always act like this.